TAP Pool's Amateur Tour,LLC also known as "TAP" is an International Billiards League serving tens of thousands of members every week, throughout the United States and Canada. With the concept of the organization on the drawing board as early as 1989 and hopes of being the best, the league is achieving its goals each day. Known for sportsmanship and acceptance of players of all ages and abilities, the league has a vision for the present and future generations.
TAP on!

2013 National Event Format

Announcement Revised 2/2013

TAP Pool’s Amateur Tour, LLC General Rules and Guideline Book for
8-Ball & 9-Ball shall govern the conduct of each match played in all TAP Tournament
Events – Nationals and Rally. Due to time constraints, some rule modifications
must be implemented.These additional
rules are also in effect for the duration of the Team and Singles events.

Some of
these rules are reiterated in this section and formats explained, to provide
the player the ultimate event experience.

Sportsmanship:

This league is about Sportsmanship,
Courtesy and Respect towards your fellow players and the rules.
Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. Penalties can range from a
warning, to ball in hand foul, to forfeiture of games, matches or
disqualification. Everyone is expected to conduct themselves in a
professional manner. Rulings made by referees will not be made on petty
technicalities. All players should win or lose on the table based on their
abilities. TAP will have security on hand, for elevated situations and
assistance in escorting persons from the tournament area should it be
deemed necessary and help to enforce management decisions.

Time Outs:

All players receive (1) one-minute
time out only per game. If the coach exceeds the one minute time
limit, the opposing Captain, after timing the coach, can challenge for
excessive use of time. At this point, the coach has 10 seconds to complete
their advice to the shooting player. If there is a controversy, a Referee
must be called. Remember that real time and perceived time are two
different things. Don’t be offended if you get called for taking too much
time on a time-out. The match belongs to the players on the table, not the
coach.

Putting up Players:

Only the Captain or a specific member
of the team appointed by the Captain can make player selections for each
match. This is to avoid controversy.

If two teams face one another and the
teams have any common player(s), the player(s) are eligible
to play for both teams without penalty as long as the player(s) meet the
following two criteria:
1. The player(s) have met the proper requirements to be eligible to play
in the tournament.
2. If the Captain elects to put a player up for a match, the other Captain
can never match the player to play him/herself.

Coaching:

Only the coach or the player can call
a time out.

Neither the coach nor player can
refuse a time out. Once a time out has been called or suggested, it must
be taken.

If the coach or player calls a time
out when they have already used their time out for that game, one warning
will be given to the team. Any future violations throughout the entire
teams matches will result in ball-in-hand foul to the opponent.

A second player can consult with the
coach, but the coach is the only player who can communicate directly to
the player or approach the table. Only the (2) shooting players and their
coaches are allowed in the playing area.

Only the coach or the player can ask
for a third party to watch a close hit. Players are solely responsible for
verifying a frozen ball. Coaches cannot interfere unless a timeout is
taken. If another team member asks,
one warning will be given. On the second infraction, ball in hand foul.

The only communication between the
player and the coach is during a time out situation by either team or
between GAMES. The player cannot talk to anyone but the coach of their
team while playing their match. To avoid controversy, the coach should be
declared at the beginning of the match by both teams and the player should
attempt to sit away from their team is possible.

The coach CANNOT use any equipment to
give instruction to their player. They can only use their finger to point.
First offense is a warning. Then Ball-in-hand Foul.

When coaching a handicap 2 level
player, the coach must declare when they are taking their one official
time out so the opposing player can consult with their coach. The opposing
player cannot consult with
their coach during coaching assistance within the 45 seconds shot clock.

Handicap (2)
players get unlimited coaching assistance within the 45-second shot clock,
but the Coach CANNOT approach the table unless a TIME OUT has been called.
When coaching a H/C (2) player, if the coach approaches the table it is
considered a time out and a warning should be issued by the opposing
Captain or Referee if the TIME OUT was not declared by the Coach. If it
happens a second time after a warning has been issued, it is a
Ball-in-hand foul. All coaching during a non-time-out
must occur away from the playing area.

If
your coach has to play a match on another table, you must pick another
coach, to coach you for the remainder of your match. Please be sure
to let the other team know who your new coach will be.

Sideline Interference:

The ONLY thing ANY
player on the team can say to the shooting player when it is their turn at
the table regarding the match is “mark your pocket” when the shooter is on
the 8-Ball. Comments such as nice shot, let’s go, etc. are allowed. Use
common sense. Don’t clap or yell out YES!!!, when the other player misses.
Be quiet and show respect to the shooting players. Excessive outbursts
will result in disqualification.

If any comments are made of any kind
that could be considered coaching, by any player on the team, the team will
be given one warning. Any further comments will result in a ball-in-hand
foul to the opposing player. This applies to the remainder of all matches
between the two teams, not just the match where the warning was issued.
The match belongs to the players. Let them win or lose on the table, based
on their individual skills.

Any player making comments from the
sidelines that is not on either team playing a match will be given one
warning to stop. If it occurs again they will be ejected from the
tournament area and the event.

Ball-in-hand:

In a ball-in-hand situation, the
shooting player can position the cue ball with ANY part of the cue,
including the tip and ferrule. A foul occurs if the shooting player
touches the cue ball while in the act of stroking the pool cue to execute
the shot.

The coach cannot touch any ball on the
table. This is a ball in hand foul. The coach may touch the table but
cannot mark the table in any manner to influence the shooting players shot
selection. Marking the table is an automatic Ball-in Hand Foul. To avoid
controversy, DO NOT touch the
felt. If a coach places the cue ball it is a foul and ball in hand to the
opponent.

Sudden Death:

Sudden Death will be in affect for the
Team event. Matches are set at 4 hour intervals. We need to adhere to this
time frame as closely as possible to stay on schedule for the week. At 3
hours and 30 minutes, any match that is currently in progress (defined as
the first rack in the match has been broken) will be allowed to played to
its completion. Any additional matches to be played will be determined by
one game between the two opponents. The tournament referee staff will
monitor times; however it is every team’s responsibility to manage your
time wisely. Don’t intentionally try to stall matches to insure sudden
death. Play fair and let your players win or lose on the table. The
Referees or Tournament Directors have the final say on calling Sudden
Death.

Listening Devices:

NO listening devices of any kind will
be allowed during the team or singles events in order to reduce
communication controversies between the two shooting players.

Accidental movement of a ball:

#1If the shooting player accidentally moves a ball prior to their shot, the
opposing player has the option of leaving the ball where it was moved “or”
returning it to its original position. If the shooting player grabs the
moved ball to replace it, it is not a foul.

#2If the shooting player accidentally moves a ball during the execution oftheir shot, putting the cue ball in motionand then touches the moved
ball while other balls are in motion “or” another ball on the table
strikes the ball that was moved or strikes the cue stick, bridge etc. it
is a ball-in-hand foul.

Four-second rule:

If a ball hangs in a pocket for longer
than four (4) seconds, then drops, that ball must be brought out and
placed as close to where it was before it dropped.

Push Shot:

If the cue ball is frozen to
the object ball, pushing through the cue ball is a legal hit. If there is separation
between the two balls equal to or less than the width of a piece of chalk,
the shooter must keep from double hitting the cue ball.To make a legal hit the shooter must
either 1) when shooting directly into the two balls elevate the back of
the cue in an attempt to put draw on the cue ball, or 2)Shoot at an angle not directly in line
with the two balls.As long as an
honest attempt at either is made, no foul can be called. If there is a distance between the object
ball and the cue ball greater than the width of a piece of chalk, any
double hit of the cue ball is a ball-in-hand foul. Note:Should the cue ball travel past the
object ball a foul has been committed.

Playing Multiple Events:

·If any player has signed up for
any other events and is also playing in the Team event, your match will not be
held up because you are currently playing in another event. Manage your time
wisely. Once your match is called for the Singles or Mini events, you will have
5 minutes to get to the table. For the Team event, the 5 minute rule still
applies. The only exception will be in the Semi Finals and Finals, however
players must be actively playing in a match, not coaching or about to play.The National Director will make the final
call in these cases.

Referees:

Referees will be provided during the
tournament. Referees will be wearing black and white striped jerseys. If
anyone sees potential for controversy, please stop the match and request a
referee. The referees’ ruling is final. In a controversial situation the
referee has the option of

referring the matter to the Head Referee for further review. The
Head Referee’s decision on all rulings is final.

Handicaps:

There will be no changes of any kind
made to the team rosters or singles fields once the event begins unless a typo
in the program has occurred. All players’ membership status and handicaps
have been verified prior to the start of this event and are not subject to
change during the event.

Miscellaneous rules:

When shooting your shot, be sure to
clearly identify the ball & pocket you are calling to avoid
controversy.

All matches are considered final when
both score sheets have been turned into the tournament desk. No protest or
challenge will be considered after this occurs.

When shooting a defensive shot, be
sure to clearly announce your intentions to the opposing player to avoid
controversy.

Once a match has ended, each team has
5 minutes maximum to field a player.

Once either
Captain has made their pick for the next match, they cannot change their
pick.

Every player has the right to ask for
their opponents Photo ID for identification. Any player attempting to
misrepresent their own identity or the identity of another player by
giving them his/her tournament badge will be immediately disqualified from
competition and banned from the TAP, Pool Amateur Tour, LLC for a minimum
of (1) year. In addition, the entire team will be disqualified. NO
EXCEPTIONS.

Teams that are leaving a pool table,
must make sure all pool balls are accounted for, including the cue
ball.Teams leaving a table and not
verifying all balls are there for the next match with the captain of the
next team in, please be aware, if balls are missing the last team on that
pool table will be disqualified. (New for 2011)

TEAM EVENT FORMAT: Round Robin

Each team will be on a
4-Team board. Each team will play a round robin format with the other (3) teams
on their board. A total of five matches will be played in each match. The total
possible points attainable per team are 15.If a board has a BYE as one of the teams in the round robin, each team
that competes against the BYE team, will automatically be awarded 3 points for
that round of play.

For National Team
Events, 64 teams will advance to the Elite
Team Board.The remaining teams will
play in the Championship Team Board.In the
National Team and Rally in the Valley event if we exceed 128 teams, a third
board will be created called Best of the
Rest Board.

The Team Boards will be
determined by the highest point totals of all teams. When the final spots on
the Elite and Championship Team Boards are being filled, there may be multiple
teams tied with the same number of points, trying for those spots. If the
number of tied teams exceeds the number of available spots, those teams will be
put into a blind draw to determine which teams will fill the last available
spots.The NCAA seeding formula will be
used for team placement on all boards.

Note:During the Team Semi-Finals & Finals,
sudden death will not decide a winner. If the 3rd match has not
started at the (2) hour mark, the 3rd match and subsequent matches
must be played on two tables at the same time. At the 3 hour and 30 minute
mark, if the 5th match has not started, all remaining matches will
be played on two tables at the same time.

SINGLES TOURNAMENT FORMAT

8 Ball Singles will be
broken down into five groupings: 2-3 Bracket, 4’s, 5’s, 6’s & 7’s. 9 Ball Singles will be broken down into three
groupings: 2-3 Bracket, 4-5 Bracket, and 6-7 Bracket.

All 8 Ball Boards will
be Double Elimination, with a second chance bracket for all 0-2 players. 16
Players on each bracket with winners of each board playing off, in their own
double elimination bracket.All 9 Ball
Boards will be Double Elimination at nationals, as well.

All matches, times and
table assignments will be posted on the Tournament Boards. It is the player’s
responsibility to get to the assigned table within 5 minutes of the starting
time. If the assigned table is still occupied, both players must come to the
Tournament desk and wait there until a different table is available. We will announce for players who do not show
up at their table and they will have an additional 5 minutes to get to the
table. At the expiration of this time a forfeit will be awarded to their
opponent.

Players involved in team
matches and Singles should advise your team captain of the time for your
Singles match. Matches will not be held up for players shooting in other
events.

Score Sheets must be
completed for all single matches, for all handicaps, all formats.If the score sheet is not completed the
winning player will not advance in the bracket.NO Sign Ups will be taken at the event.You must be active and qualified in the format (8 or 9 Ball) you are
competing in. Example if you play 8 ball but do not play 9 ball, you cannot
sign up for 9 ball singles and vice versa.

Disqualification
Process

Note: We Do Not Raise Handicaps
During the Event

Reminder: Everyone here is planning to
bring their “A” game so don’t be surprised to see some players shooting 1
to1½ levels higher than their rating simply due to the intensity of this
tournament, excessive play for three days straight and personal focus.

All team and single match stats will
be entered through POOLNET’s Automated Flagging Program by entering all
score sheets for all events, except minis. NEW for 2013, Both Teams will
keep score however, both captains must review their score sheets and agree
to only one being submitted for data entry.The score sheet that most accurately is
kept should be signed off on by both captains, and only that one score
sheet put in the bin for entry into Pool Net, located at the TAP National
Desk.

New for 2013, no manual flags will be
done by players or teams.Teams
will keep score, submit one score sheet and Pool Net Auto Flagging Report will be
generated after each round of play.All Players playing two levels over their handicap will be listed
on this report.No one will
officially be a winner until data entry done, flagging report ran and
points posted in round robin, or team name advanced on the single
elimination boards.For singles,
players will not be advance on double elimination brackets until data
entry and flagging report ran, as well. Team Captains and Players will be
notified as quickly as possible if a DQ took place.Teams / Players should not leave the tournament
area until the official points or advancement on the bracket has taken
place.

When a player is flagged by POOL-Net and
verified by the Tournament Directors, all previous and future score sheets
will be pulled on that player and reviewed by the Tournament Directors. No
notification will be given to the offending player. If a second score sheet
is discovered or presented with the same statistical data violation, that
player will be officially disqualified from all events of that game type.
The Captain of that players team will be notified by the Tournament
Director and be responsible for delivering the decision to the player in
question. No further discussion will be considered. It is final.

Once a player has been disqualified
from an event, they can no longer participate in any events in that game
type.(8 ball, 9 ball, 10 ball
etc.)

If one player is disqualified, the
team remains in the tournament. If a second player on that team is
disqualified, the entire team will be disqualified.

If a team is disqualified, the players
not disqualified on the team can still participate in other events.

If a team is disqualified during the
round robin event, the teams they played will receive a 3-2 win unless
their actual points were more than 3. If the team is disqualified before
finishing the Round Robin event, all matches will be recorded as a 3-2 win
for teams that would have played the disqualified team.

Any points won by a disqualified
player during the Round Robin event will be reversed for all teams in that
bracket prior to the seeding of the single elimination boards. The same
point reversal will occur during single elimination prior to advancing a
team to the next round.